Featured The One That Got Away

I guess everyone that collects has a story about some object they lusted after but for some reason or another, it got away.
Here is my long sad story about "Ruth's Box". About 7 or 8 years ago, a carved wooden box came on the market that i just HAD TO HAVE! It once belonged to Florene Maine, a Connecticut dealer well known in her day. It's rumored she once ordered Dustin Hoffman out of her shop and had him hose off his muddy feet before allowing him to enter her shop! Tough lady!
In any event, i was determined to have this box, it had several condition issues, repair to front, bottom replaced, lock replaced and the paint was not original. Estimate was 1k-2k, auction house was Garth in Ohio, i was an online bidder and i figured on this piece to make my first bid my absolute top price i was willing to pay, 4k. SHOCK & AWE! i figured would win the day but alas, i wasn't even close.
I am STILL ILL about ruth's box to this day!

http://auctions.garths.com/asp/full...1054+++++++8+&refno=++194879&image=0&mypage=1

 

I can see why you wanted this so badly and also see why it got away. Some things are just not meant to be, particularly when our pocket book doesn't match our desires.

 

It is absolutely beautiful, just imagine someone lovingly carving it. But as Brad said, some things are just not meant to be.

 

Things I want but can't afford.....where do I begin? Sometimes it's that I've chosen not to afford because it's a wiser choice. I'd tell myself that anyway

It's a lovely box.

 

I'd have wanted that too, but then I'm Ruth. That thing is museum grade and it sold for a museum (with deep pockets) price.

 

Well, you know, when something is coming up for sale that i am interested in, i usually research the hell outa it and then determine BEFORE the sale date the top price i am willing to pay. Keeps the auction fever down a bit as once the sale starts, easy to go overboard.
I could have financed it with a CC but, i didn't think the box was worth 8 grand, still don't! Plus, looking back, i doubt it would have mattered anyway, someone wanted that box and price was NOT an issue. If i had stayed in at 8k, they would have come right back at me at 9k.
You're right, just wasn't meant to be. I am STILL ILL over it though!

 

You never know; it may have been a birthday present for another Ruth Allen ... from her soon to be ex-. It might be back around.

 

lol, HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL!

 

HOLY BEAVER PUPPIES!!!!!

 

That's a beautiful box! I never would have guessed it was worth 8k.

My "one that got away" was a heavy sterling dish at Goodwill for $15. I saw the lion passant mark and wasn't 100% sure if it meant it was sterling. I thought it needed a 925 mark as well.

 

And, what happened? you passed and didn't buy it?

 

Yeah, because I was a poor high school student and thought my money would be better spent on pizza. Maybe next time.

 

This happens to me often, which is why I recent auctions. Most bitter I'm still about a ceiling lamp that was in a store over three years ago and was sold before I could go there to get it. It wasn't even expensive and I feel a slight anger every time I look at the empty ceiling above my dining table. Oh yes, I still haven't found a lamp in my price range that could compete with the missed opportunity lamp.

 

LOL @ money better spent on pizza! Well hey, at least you got a pizza out of the deal, you did better than i did.

 

There was a sampler online that was made by the unmarried sister of my husband's great-great-great grandfather whose name is his middle name. We really wanted it, but it outpaced our cap rather quickly.

 

Thanks for reminding me it was pizza night Barn! Yum!

 

I hope it's good pizza!

 

FABULOUS pizza and other things!
ALL made fresh.
AND I get a 15% veteran's discount!

 

Can you throw Senior Discount on top of that?????

 

NO!
And what makes you think I qualify!!!!!

After having seen what GW does in regard to both Senior Citizen and Veteran discounts in Virginia, I voiced my opinions here.
Now surely it wasn't all my noise but....now there is a SC and Veteran's discount here.....
BOTH on the SAME day!!!
Can only get one of them.